Battery carrier system

ABSTRACT

A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 16/250,857, filed Jan.17, 2019, titled “A Battery Carrier System,” which is a divisional ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/869,297, filed Sep. 29, 2015, whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/060,305, filed Oct. 6, 2014, titled “System andMethod for Renting, Charging, and Discharging Battery Packs,” each ofwhich is incorporated by reference. This application also incorporatesby reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/917,128, filed Nov. 1,2010, titled “Portable Alternating Current Inverter Having ReducedImpedance Losses,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/037,290, filedFeb. 28, 2008, titled “Portable Power Supply,” and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/891,540, filed Feb. 26, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to a system and method for renting,transporting, charging, and discharging battery packs, e.g., for powertools or other electrical devices. In one implementation, the systemincludes a kiosk for renting, dispensing and receiving battery packs anda carrier for transporting, charging and discharging the battery packs,e.g., for power tools and other electrical devices.

BACKGROUND

Various types of electric power tools are commonly used in construction,home improvement, outdoor, and do-it-yourself projects. Conventionalpower tools generally fall into two categories—corded tools that arepowered by an AC power source, e.g., an AC mains line, and cordlesstools that are powered by one or more DC power sources, e.g., arechargeable battery.

Corded power tools generally are used for heavy duty applications thatrequire high power and/or long runtimes, such as heavy duty sawing,heavy duty drilling and hammering, and heavy duty metal working.However, as their name implies, corded tools require the use of a cordthat can be plugged into an AC power outlet. In many applications, suchas on construction sites, it is not convenient or practical to find anAC power outlet and/or AC power must be generated by a generator, e.g.gas powered generator.

Cordless power tools generally are used for lighter duty applicationsthat require low or medium power and/or short runtimes, such as lightduty sawing, light duty drilling, and fastening. As cordless tools tendto be more limited in their power and/or runtime, they have notgenerally been accepted by the industry for all applications. They arealso limited by weight since the higher capacity batteries tend to havegreater weight, creating an ergonomic disadvantage.

Generally, conventional power tool battery packs may not be able to runconventional corded power tools or other corded electrical devices,while untransformed AC power may not be able to be used to run cordlesspower tools. Further, the battery packs for cordless power tools mayrequire frequent recharging, may be expensive to purchase, and may becumbersome to manage on a large construction site.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present invention includes a vending system comprisinga plurality of battery pack carriers, each of the carriers including abattery charging circuit and a receptacle for receiving a battery pack;and a kiosk comprising (1) a storage unit configured to receive,dispense, and store the plurality of battery pack carriers, (2) a powerdistribution module configured to deliver power to the battery packcarriers, and (2) a controller that is configured to control dispensingof the carriers and supplying charging power to the carriers, whereineach of the carriers is configured to be alternatively powered by thepower distribution module when the carrier is inside the kiosk or by anexternal power source when the carrier is outside the kiosk to enablethe carrier charging circuit to charge a battery pack that is receivedin the receptacle. The receptacle may comprise a plurality ofreceptacles and each of the plurality of receptacles may receive abattery pack.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vending systemcomprising a plurality of battery packs; a plurality of battery packcarriers, each of the carriers including a battery charging circuit anda receptacle for receiving one or more of the plurality of batterypacks; and a kiosk comprising (1) a storage unit configured to receive,dispense, and store the plurality of battery pack carriers, (2) a powerdistribution module configured to deliver power to the battery packcarriers, and (3) a controller that is configured to control dispensingof the carriers and the battery packs from the kiosk and supplyingcharging power to the carriers, wherein each of the carriers isconfigured to be alternatively powered by the power distribution modulewhen the carrier is inside the kiosk or by an external power source whenthe carrier is outside the kiosk to enable the carrier charging circuitto charge the battery pack that is received in the receptacle. Thereceptacle may comprise a plurality of receptacles and each of theplurality of receptacles may receive a battery pack.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vending systemcomprising a power tool; a plurality of battery packs configured tosupply power to the power tool; a plurality of battery pack carriers,each carrier including a battery charging circuit and a receptacle forreceiving one or more of the plurality of battery packs; and a kioskcomprising (1) a storage unit configured to receive, dispense, and storethe plurality of battery pack carriers, (2) a power distribution moduleconfigured to deliver power to the battery pack carriers, and (3) acontroller that is configured to control dispensing of the carriers andthe battery packs from the kiosk and supplying charging power to thecarriers, wherein each of the carriers is configured to be alternativelypowered by the power distribution module when the carrier is inside thekiosk or by an external power source when the carrier is outside thekiosk to enable the carrier charging circuit to charge the battery packthat is received in the receptacle. The receptacle may comprise aplurality of receptacles and each of the plurality of receptacles mayreceive a battery pack.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention may alsocomprise circuitry configured to monitor the battery packs in thecarriers and to control activation of the carrier charging circuits. Theforegoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention may alsocomprise a communications module configured to facilitate communicationbetween the kiosk and an external computing device. The communicationsmodule may be configured to receive signals corresponding to a user'sbattery pack carrier order to be vended via the external computingdevice. The communications module may be configured to send signalscorresponding to parameters of the battery packs stored in the batterypack storage unit. The kiosk may also comprise a retail vending moduleconfigured to dispense merchandise for sale to a user. The kiosk mayalso comprise a user interface configured to receive a user's batterypack carrier order to be vended. The user interface may comprise apayment processing system. The storage unit may also comprise aplurality of bins, each of the plurality of bines configured to receiveone or more carriers. The kiosk may also comprise a display configuredto communicate a charge status of the carriers and/or battery packs inthe bins.

Each of the bins may include a power connector and the carrier mayinclude a power input connector, wherein the bin power connector isconfigured to be coupled to the carrier power input connector. Each ofthe bins may include a communications connector and the carrier mayinclude a communications connector, wherein the bin communicationsconnector is configured to be coupled to the carrier communicationsconnector. The power distribution module may include an input lineconfigured to be connected to an external source of electrical power anda distribution subsystem configured to distribute the electrical powerto the carriers that are received in the storage unit.

The controller may control dispensing of the carriers from the kiosk byenabling rental of the carriers and battery packs from the kiosk. Thevending system may comprise a central server in electronic communicationwith the kiosk. The central server may be configured to communicate witha plurality of the kiosks at different geographical locations. Thecentral server may be configured to receive remote user inputs of ordersfor battery packs and carriers. The central server may be configured toreceive the remote user inputs via a telecommunications connection witha remote electronic computing device. The central server may beconfigured to communicate an order to a kiosk via a telecommunicationsnetwork.

The carrier power input connector may be configured to receive an inputof electrical power for charging a battery pack received in thereceptacle. The power input connector may comprise one or more of an ACpower input connector and a DC power input connector. The carriercommunications connector may be configured to send and/or receivecommunications with the bin through the communications connectors. Thecarrier may comprise a power output connector configured to deliveroutput power from a battery pack received in the receptacle. The poweroutput connector may comprise a DC output connector. The power outputconnector may comprise an AC output connector.

The carrier may also comprise an inverter circuit configured to converta DC power output from a battery pack or a plurality of battery packs toan AC power output at the carrier power output connector. The carriermay be configured such that the battery pack(s) generate a DC voltagehaving a magnitude greater than or equal to a desired AC voltage at thecarrier power output connector.

The kiosk may include a processing unit that is configured to prioritizecharging of the battery packs in the carriers received in the kioskbased upon at least one parameter of the kiosk, the carrier and/or thebattery packs received in the carriers. The at least one parameter maycomprise at least one of available charging power in the kiosk, cost ofavailable charging power in the kiosk, state of charge of the batterypacks received in the carriers, conditions of the battery packs receivedin the carriers, and reservation schedules for the carriers.

The carriers and/or battery packs may be configured to power one or morepower tools. The battery pack(s) can be configured to operate at a firstrated voltage and a second rated voltage, the second rated voltage beingdifferent than the first rated voltage.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vending systemcomprising a kiosk; a battery pack storage unit in the kiosk configuredto receive and store a plurality of battery packs; a battery charger inthe kiosk configured to charge one or more of the plurality of batterypacks; a power distribution module in the kiosk configured to deliverpower to the battery pack charger unit; a controller in the kioskconfigured to control vending of the battery packs from the battery packstorage unit; and a processing unit in the kiosk that is configured toprioritize charging of battery packs in the battery pack storage unitbased upon at least one parameter of the kiosk and the battery packsreceived in battery pack storage unit.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vending systemcomprising a plurality of battery pack carriers, each of the pluralityof carriers includes a battery charging circuit and a receptacle, thereceptacle configured for receiving a battery pack; and a kioskcomprising a storage unit that is configured to receive and store theplurality of battery pack carriers, a power distribution module that isconfigured to deliver power to the battery pack carriers, a controllerthat is configured to control dispensing of the carriers and batterypacks from the kiosk, and a processing unit in the kiosk that isconfigured to prioritize charging of the battery packs in the batterypack storage unit based upon at least one parameter of the kiosk, thecarriers, and the battery packs received in the carriers. The receptaclemay comprise a plurality of receptacles and each of the plurality ofreceptacles may receive a battery pack.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vending systemcomprising a plurality of battery packs; a plurality of battery packcarriers, each of the plurality of carriers including a battery chargingcircuit and a receptacle, the receptacle configured for receiving one ormore of the plurality of battery packs; and a kiosk comprising a storageunit that is configured to receive and store the plurality of batterypack carriers, a power distribution module that is configured to deliverpower to the battery pack carriers, a controller that is configured tocontrol dispensing of the carriers and battery packs from the kiosk, anda processor unit in the kiosk that is configured to prioritize chargingof the battery packs in the battery pack storage unit based upon atleast one parameter of the kiosk, the carriers, and the battery packsreceived in the carriers.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention the atleast one parameter may comprise at least one of available chargingpower in the kiosk, cost of available charging power in the kiosk, stateof charge of the battery packs received in the carriers, conditions ofthe battery packs received in the carriers, and reservation schedulesfor the carriers.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a vending systemcomprising a plurality of battery packs; and a kiosk comprising astorage unit that is configured to receive, dispense, and store theplurality of battery packs, a power distribution module that isconfigured to deliver power to the battery pack carriers, a controllerthat is configured to control dispensing of carriers and battery packsfrom the kiosk, and a processor unit in the kiosk that is configured toprioritize charging of the battery packs in the battery pack storageunit; and a user interface configured to allow a user to select abattery pack for rental from among the plurality of stored battery packsbased upon user input of a battery pack parameter, wherein prices forthe battery packs are set based upon the battery pack parameter.

In the foregoing aspect of the present invention the battery packparameter may comprise at least one of a state of charge of the batterypack, a condition of the battery pack, and a rated voltage of thebattery pack. The battery pack parameter may comprise a state of chargeof the battery pack, wherein the prices are set higher for battery packshaving a higher state of charge. The battery pack parameter may comprisea condition of the battery pack, wherein the prices are set higher forbattery packs having a better condition. The battery pack parameter maycomprise a rated voltage of the battery pack, wherein the prices are sethigher for battery packs having a higher rated voltage.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method comprisingstoring, in a kiosk, a plurality of battery pack carriers, each of theplurality of battery pack carriers including a receptacle for receivinga battery pack and a charging circuit that enables charging of thebattery pack via a power source in the kiosk when the carrier is storedin the kiosk and via another power source when the carrier is removedfrom the kiosk; receiving a user input of a desired battery pack carrierto be rented; selecting a battery pack carrier from among the pluralityof stored battery pack carriers, where the battery pack carriercorresponds to the user input of a desired battery pack carrier;enabling the kiosk to dispense the selected battery pack carrier to theuser.

The foregoing embodiment of the present invention may also comprisereceiving, in the kiosk, a previously used one of the battery packcarriers. The foregoing embodiment may also comprise enabling, via thekiosk, at least one of the stored battery pack carrier charging circuitsto charge battery packs received in the at least one stored battery packcarrier. The foregoing embodiment may also comprise prioritizing theenabling of the at least one of the stored battery pack chargingcircuits based on a parameter of the kiosk and/or a parameter of thebattery pack carriers, wherein the parameter comprises at least one ofavailable charging power in the kiosk, cost of available charging powerin the kiosk, state of charge of the battery packs received in thecarriers, conditions of the battery packs received in the carriers, andreservation schedules for the carriers. The foregoing embodiment mayalso comprise managing inventory of the stored battery carriers. In theforegoing embodiment, the user input may be received via a userinterface on the kiosk or via a remote computing device via an internetconnection and the user input may include a desired geographic locationof the battery pack carrier to be rented.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise identifying to the user oneor more kiosks from a plurality of kiosks that have stored battery packcarriers corresponding to the desired geographic location. In theforegoing embodiment, the user input may include a desired state ofcharge of a battery pack. The foregoing embodiment may also compriseidentifying to the user a battery pack carrier from the stored batterypack carriers with a battery pack that most closely corresponds to thedesired state of charge or setting rental prices for the battery packcarriers based upon states of charge of the battery packs in the batterypack carriers or, after dispensing a battery pack carrier, disabling abattery pack in the carrier after a predetermined rental time period hasexpired.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method comprisingstoring, in a battery pack rental kiosk, a plurality of battery packs;charging the battery packs in the kiosk; setting prices of the batterypacks based upon parameters of the battery packs; receiving a user inputof a desired parameter of a battery pack to be rented; selecting abattery pack from among the plurality of stored battery packs thatcorresponds to the user input of a desired battery pack parameter;charging the user the set price for the selected battery pack; enablingthe kiosk to dispense the selected battery pack to the user.

In the foregoing embodiment, the parameter may comprise at least one ofa state of charge of the battery pack, a condition of the battery pack,and a rated voltage of the battery pack.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a power supplyapparatus comprising a housing having a receptacle, the receptacleconfigured to receive a battery pack; a power input connector configuredto receive an input of electrical power; a power output connectorconfigured to deliver an output of electrical power; a charging circuitcoupled to the power input connector and to the receptacle, the chargingcircuit configured to control providing charging power to the receptacleusing the input of electrical power; and a discharging circuit coupledto the power output connector and to the receptacle, the chargingcircuit configured to control providing discharging power from thereceptacle to the power output connector, wherein the charging circuitis configured to provide charging power to the receptacle when thehousing is received in a vending machine and when the housing is outsideof the vending machine and a source of electrical power is connected tothe power input connector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a communications connectorconfigured to be coupled to a communications line in the vending machineto send and/or receive a signal that causes the charging circuit toprovide charging power to the receptacle when the housing is inside ofthe vending machine. The power input connector may be configured toreceive a source of AC input power or the power input connector may beconfigured to receive a source of DC input power. The power inputconnector may comprise a first connector configured to receive a sourceof AC power and a second connector configured to receive a source of DCpower. The power output connector may comprise an AC connector and/or aDC connector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise at least one battery pack andan inverter circuit configured to convert a DC power output from the atleast one battery pack to an AC power output that is delivered to thepower output connector. The at least one battery pack may be configuredto generate a DC voltage that is greater than or equal to a peak valueof a desired AC voltage, and the inverter circuit may be configured toconvert the DC voltage generated by the at least one battery pack to anAC output voltage with a peak value that is at least as great as thepeak value of the desired AC voltage, the AC output voltage beingdelivered to the power output connector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a switching device thatenables switching between a charging mode in which the charging circuitis active to charge the battery packs and a discharging mode in whichthe discharging circuit is active to enable discharge of the batterypacks to the power outlet. The switching device may include an externalswitch that is switchable by a user. The switching device may include anautomated switching device that switches to the charging mode upondetecting that the power input connector is coupled to a source ofelectrical power.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a handle coupled to thehousing to enable carrying of the housing and at least one battery packwherein the battery pack may be removable from the housing. The at leastone battery pack may have a first set of electrical terminals that isconnectable to a second set of electrical terminals in the receptacle toenable charging and discharging the at least one battery pack in thehousing. The first set of electrical terminals can be connected to athird set of terminals on an electrical device that is separate from theapparatus, to enable the at least one battery pack to be electricallyconnected to the electrical device when the battery pack is removed fromthe housing. The electrical device may comprise a power tool, anotherbattery charging device or another electrical device.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a power supply systemcomprising a battery pack and a charging and discharging containerhaving a housing with a receptacle, the receptacle configured toremovably receive and electrically connect to the battery pack, a powerinput connector configured to receive input power from an external powersupply, a power output connector configured to deliver output power fromthe battery pack, a charging circuit configured to control charging ofthe battery pack with the input power when the battery pack is receivedin the receptacle, and a discharging circuit configured to controldischarging of output power from the battery pack to the power outputconnector, wherein the power output connector is electrically coupleableto a first electrical device to power the first electrical device whenthe battery pack is received in the receptacle, and wherein the batterypack is electrically coupleable to a second electrical device to powerthe second electrical device when the battery pack is removed from thereceptacle.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a system comprising abattery pack; a first electrical device; a second electrical device; anda charging and discharging container having a housing with a receptacle,the receptacle configured to removably receive and electrically connectto the battery pack, a power input connector configured to receive inputpower from an external power supply, a power output connector configuredto deliver an output power from the battery pack, a charging circuitconfigured to control charging of the battery pack with the input powerwhen the battery pack is received in the receptacle, and a dischargingcircuit configured to control discharging of output power from thebattery pack to the power output connector, wherein the power outputconnector is electrically coupleable to the first electrical device topower the first electrical device when the battery pack is received inthe receptacle, and wherein the battery pack is electrically coupleableto the second electrical device to power the second electrical devicewhen the battery pack is removed from the receptacle.

In the foregoing embodiments the power input connector may be configuredto receive a source of AC input power or a source of DC input power. Thepower input connector may comprise a first connector configured toreceive a source of AC power and a second connector configured toreceive a source of DC power. The power output connector may comprise anAC connector or a DC connector. The foregoing embodiment may alsocomprise an inverter circuit configured to convert a DC power outputfrom the battery packs to an AC power output that is delivered to thepower output connector. In the foregoing embodiment, the at least onebattery pack may be configured to generate a DC voltage that is greaterthan or equal to a peak value of a desired AC voltage, and the invertercircuit may be configured to convert the DC voltage generated by thebattery pack to an AC output voltage with a peak value that is at leastas great as the peak value of the desired AC voltage, the AC outputvoltage being delivered to the power output connector. The foregoingembodiment may also comprise a switching device that enables switchingbetween a charging mode in which the charging circuit is active tocharge the battery packs and a discharging mode in which the dischargingcircuit is active to enable discharge of the battery packs to the poweroutput connector. The switching device may include an external switchthat is switchable by a user. The switching device may include anautomated switching device that switches to the charging mode upondetecting that the power input connector is coupled to a source ofelectrical power. The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a handlecoupled to the housing to enable carrying of the housing. The firstelectrical device may comprise an AC power tool and the secondelectrical device comprises a DC power tool.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a battery packcontainer comprising a housing having a receptacle for receiving atleast one battery pack; a first power input connector configured toreceive power from an AC power supply; a second power input connectorconfigured to receive power from a DC power supply; and a chargingcircuit coupled to the first and second power input connectors and tothe receptacle, the charging circuit configured to control providingcharging power to the receptacle using power from at least one of the ACpower supply and the DC power supply.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a power output connectorcoupled to the housing and configured to supply output power; and adischarging circuit coupled to the power output connector and to thereceptacle, the discharging circuit configured to control discharging ofelectrical power from the at least one battery pack to the power outputconnector. The power output connector may comprise an AC connectorand/or a DC connector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise an inverter circuitconfigured to convert a DC power output from the at least one batterypack to an AC power output that is delivered to the power outputconnector. The at least one battery pack may be configured to generate aDC voltage that is greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired ACvoltage, and the inverter circuit may be configured to convert the DCvoltage generated by the at least one battery pack to an AC outputvoltage with a peak value that is at least as great as the peak value ofthe desired AC voltage, the AC output voltage being delivered to thepower output connector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a switching device thatenables switching between a charging mode in which the charging circuitis active to charge the battery packs and a discharging mode in whichthe discharging circuit is active to enable discharge of the batterypacks to the power outlet. The switching device may include an externalswitch that is switchable by a user or may include an automatedswitching device that switches to the charging mode upon detecting thatthe power input connector is coupled to a source of electrical power.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a handle coupled to thehousing to enable carrying of the housing.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a portable power supplyapparatus comprising a housing having a receptacle for receiving atleast one battery pack; a handle coupled to the housing to enablecarrying of the housing; a power input connector configured to receiveinput power from an external power supply; a power output connectorconfigured to supply power from the housing; a charging circuit coupledto the power input connector and to the receptacle, the charging circuitconfigured to control providing charging power to the receptacle usingthe input power; and a discharging circuit coupled to the power outletand to the receptacle, the charging circuit configured to controldischarging of output power from the receptacle to the power outputconnector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise an inverter circuitconfigured to convert a DC power output from the receptacle to an ACpower output that is delivered to the power output connector. Theforegoing embodiment may also comprise at least one battery pack,wherein the at least one battery pack may be configured to generate a DCvoltage that is greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired ACvoltage, and the inverter circuit may be configured to convert the DCvoltage generated by the battery pack to an AC output voltage with apeak value that is at least as great as the peak value of the desired ACvoltage, the AC output voltage being delivered to the power outputconnector. The power input connector may be configured to receive asource of AC input power and/or a source of DC input power. The powerinput connector may comprise a first input connector configured toreceive a source of AC power and a second input connector configured toreceive a source of DC power. The power output connector may comprise anAC connector and/or a DC connector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a switching device thatenables switching between a charging mode in which the charging circuitis active to charge the battery packs and a discharging mode in whichthe discharging circuit is active to enable discharge of the batterypacks to the power output connector. The switching device may include anexternal switch that is switchable by a user or an automated switchingdevice that switches to the charging mode upon detecting that the powerinput connector is coupled to a source of electrical power.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a portable power supplycomprising a housing including a battery connector for electricallycoupling to a battery pack; a power input connector configured toreceive power from an external power supply; a power output connectorconfigured to supply power from the housing; a switch for selectivelycoupling the battery connector to the power input connector or thebattery connector to the power output connector.

In the foregoing embodiment, the switch may include a first switch forcoupling the battery connector to the power input connector and a secondswitch for coupling the battery connector to the power output connector.

The foregoing embodiment may also comprise a charging circuit coupled tothe power input connector and to the battery connector, wherein thecharging circuit supplies charging power received at the power inputconnector to the battery connector. The foregoing embodiment may alsocomprise an inverter circuit coupled to the battery connector and to thepower output connector, wherein the inverter circuit is configured toreceive DC voltage output from the battery connector, convert thereceived DC voltage to an AC voltage and supply the AC voltage to thepower output connector.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a portable power supplycomprising a carrier comprising a battery connector, the batteryconnector configured to receive a removable, rechargeable battery pack,a charging circuit coupled to the battery connector to supply chargingpower to the battery connector, a power supply input connector coupledto the charging circuit configured to receive input power and to providethe input power to the charging circuit, wherein the input power may bereceived from a variety of power sources.

In the foregoing embodiment the input power may comprise an AC powersource and/or a DC power source. In the foregoing embodiment, the powersupply input connector may comprise an AC power connector and/or a DCpower connector. The foregoing embodiment may comprise a receptacle,wherein the receptacle comprises the battery connector. The foregoingembodiment may comprise a handle for transporting the carrier containingthe battery pack. The foregoing embodiment may comprise a cover for thereceptacle for securing the battery pack in the receptacle duringtransportation.

Advantages may include one or more of the following. The system mayprovide a convenient system and method for users to obtain, charge, anddischarge battery packs for use with power tools and other electricaldevices. These and other advantages and features will be apparent fromthe description and the drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a rental system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a kiosk of the rental system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are a front view and a side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a bin of the kiosk of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of the kiosk ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of various exemplary components of the kioskof FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is another block diagram of various exemplary components of thekiosk of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is another exemplary embodiment of a rental system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow chart for operation of the rental system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is another exemplary flow chart for operation of the rentalsystem of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10A-16 are exemplary screen shots of a user interface for use withthe rental system of FIG. 1, related to the flow charts of FIGS. 8 and9.

FIG. 17 is another exemplary flow chart for operation of the rentalsystem of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 18A-22 are exemplary screen shots of another user interface foruse with the rental system of FIG. 1, related to the flow charts of FIG.17.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary embodiment of the kiosk of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are front view and a side view of an exemplaryembodiment of a bin and carrier of the rental system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a carrier.

FIG. 26 is another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of thecarrier of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of thecarrier of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is another isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of thecarrier of FIG. 25.

FIG. 29A is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the carrier ofFIG. 25 including six battery packs.

FIG. 29B is a plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the carrier ofFIG. 25 without battery packs.

FIG. 30 is a simplified schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofa carrier and battery packs.

FIG. 31 is a simplified schematic diagram of another exemplaryembodiment of a carrier and a battery pack.

FIG. 32 is an exemplary flow chart for charging battery packs in acarrier in a kiosk of the rental system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 33 is an exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and power tools.

FIG. 34 is another exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and power tools.

FIG. 35 is another exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and power tools.

FIG. 36 is another exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and power tools.

FIG. 37 is another exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and power tools.

FIG. 38 is another exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and power tools.

FIG. 39 is another exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and power tools.

FIG. 40 is an exemplary illustration of a rental return warning systemof a carrier.

FIG. 41 is an exemplary illustration of a relationship between acarrier, battery packs and other electrical devices.

FIG. 42 is an exemplary illustration of various methods for chargingbattery packs in a carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment, a system 10 forrenting, transporting, charging and discharging battery packs (e.g., forpower tools and other electrical devices) includes a vending machine orkiosk 100, one or more battery pack carriers or trays 200 received inand dispensed by the kiosk 100, and one or more rechargeable, removablebattery packs 300 received in each of the carriers 200 or receiveddirectly in the kiosk 100 independent of the carriers 200. The carriers200 may be configured to charge the battery packs 300 inside and/oroutside of the kiosk 100 via one or more power inlets, and to enabledischarging the battery packs 300 through one or more power outlets. Thekiosk 100 may enable receiving, dispensing, and renting the carriers 200and battery packs 300, and causing the carriers 200 to charge thebattery packs 300 when the carriers 200 are received in the kiosk 100.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the kiosk 100 includes a housing 102 with anadvertising display area 104, a battery pack rental area 106, a retailvending area 108, and a user interface 110. The advertising display 104may be a static display (e.g., a static sign) or a dynamic display(e.g., an LCD screen).

The battery pack rental area 106 includes a plurality of bins 114. Eachbin 114 is configured to dispense, receive, store, and provide power forcharging one of the carriers 200 and the associated battery packs 300.The bins 114 are each closed by a lockable door 116, and may eachfurther include a handle 118. The doors 116 are configured to unlockwhen a user rents or returns one of the carriers 200.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an example of an empty bin 114 isillustrated. The bin 114 includes five walls—two opposing sidewalls 170,a top wall 172, a bottom wall 174, and a rear wall 176—and the bin door116 forming a generally rectangular cavity for receiving, housing anddispensing the carrier 200. Each sidewall includes a longitudinalextending rail 184—providing a pair of rails 184 in each bin 114. Therails 184 will be discussed in more detail below. The rear wall 176 ofeach bin 114 includes a plurality of connectors. Specifically, the rearwall 176 includes a communication connector 178 for providingcommunication between the kiosk 100 and the carrier 200 and a powerconnector 180 for providing power to the carrier 200. The rear wall 176also includes an extension 182 for toggling a carrier charge/dischargeswitch into charging mode. These elements correspond to a plurality ofcorresponding elements in the carrier 200, all of which will bediscussed in greater detail below.

Adjacent to each bin door 116 may be a state of charge display 120 toindicate the state of the carrier, including a state of charge of thebattery packs 300 received in the associated bin 114. For example, thedisplay 120 may include multi-colored LED lights to indicate the stateof charge of the battery packs (e.g., red, yellow, and green for low,medium, and high). The bins may have varied sizes and configurations toaccommodate different sizes and configurations of carriers 200. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, a first group 114 a of bins 114 isconfigured to receive one of the carriers 200 that contains six batterypacks 300, while a second group 114 b of bins 114 may be configured toreceive individual battery packs not received in a carrier 200 or acarrier 200 having more than six battery packs 300.

Referring to FIG. 2, the retail vending area 108 includes a retailvending display area 122 containing a plurality of products for sale anda vending opening 124 for dispensing the products for sale. The productscontained in the retail vending area 108 may be products for sale thatwill be used by persons who rent the battery packs. For example, theretail vending area 108 may contain power tools (e.g., electricscrewdrivers, drills, saws, outdoor equipment, etc.), power toolaccessories (e.g., saw blades, drill bits, screwdriving bits, spools ofcutting string, battery pack chargers and charging cords etc.), handtools (e.g., screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, etc.), and other relatedproducts (e.g., work gloves, safety glasses, tool belts, etc.).

Referring also to FIG. 4, the exemplary user interface 110 may include adisplay screen 126, a user input device 128, and a payment processingarea 112. The display screen 126 displays options and information to theuser. For example, the display screen 126 may be an LCD monitor. Theuser input device 128 allows the user to input information to the kiosk100. For example, the user input device 128 may include a keyboard or akeypad. In other embodiments, the user input device may be fully orpartially integrated into the display screen 126, e.g., by implementingthe display screen 126 as a touch screen interface. The paymentprocessing area 112 may include one or more of a credit card reader 113,a bar code or a QR code scanner, a RFID sensor configured to communicatewith an RFID payment tag, bill and coin receptacles, a receipt printer115, and a change receptacle. The payment processing area is configuredto process payments from users for battery pack rentals, retail sales,and coupon and voucher redemptions.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an exemplarysystem architecture for the electronic controls for the kiosk 100. Theelectronic controls include a power distribution module 130 thatcontrols and distributes power to all of the other modules, as will bedescribed in greater detail below. A central processing unit (CPU) 140and a memory/database module 138 provide centralized control for theother modules: a retail vending module 134 that controls the retailvending area 108, a battery pack rental module 136 that controls thebattery pack rental area 106, an advertising display module 142 thatcontrols the advertising display area 104, and a user interface module144 that controls the user interface 110. Also coupled to the CPU 140are an auxiliary systems control module 148 (e.g., to control HVAC, firesuppression, lights, etc.) and an external communications module 146. Asdescribed in greater detail below, the external communications module146 enables communication between and among the kiosk 100 and otherkiosks, servers, databases, and computing devices via one or moretelecommunications networks 145.

The advertising display module 142 controls the display of advertisinginformation on the advertising display 104. For example, in a staticdisplay, the advertising display module 142 may control illumination ofthe advertising display 104. In a dynamic display, the advertisingdisplay module 142 may alter and control the advertising display 104 todisplay various advertisements for goods or services, in accordance withinstructions from the central processing unit 140. For example, theadvertising display module 142 may control operation of an LCD screenthat scrolls through various advertisements. The auxiliary systemscontrol module 148 controls several systems that are helpful tooperation of the kiosk 100. The auxiliary systems control module 148 maycommunicate with and receive instructions from the central processingunit 140. For example, the auxiliary systems control module 148 maycontrol HVAC, lighting, and fire suppression systems for the kiosk 100.

The retail vending module 134 controls the vending of retail productsfrom the retail vending area 108. For example, the retail vending module134 may control dispensing of retail goods from the retail vending area108 upon receipt of instructions from the central processing unit 140.The retail vending module 134 may also sense the inventory of goods inthe retail vending area 108 and provide indications of low inventorylevels to the central processing unit 140. These and otherimplementations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring also to FIG. 6, the battery pack rental module 136 controlsthe battery pack rental area 106 according to instructions from thecentral processing unit 140. As discussed above, the battery pack rentalarea 106 includes the carrier bins 114, the carriers 200 received in thecarrier bins 114, and the battery packs 300 received in the carriers200. The power distribution module 130 delivers power to each of thecarrier bins 114 (as described in more detail below). The battery packrental module 136 includes a battery communications module 150 and a bindispensing module 152, each in communication with the central processingunit 140, and in communication with the carrier bins 114. The batterycommunications module 150 and the bin dispensing module 152 may be wiredwith individual communications lines for each carrier bin 114 or may bewired with fewer communications lines (e.g., one line) for all carrierbins 114 with different channels, frequencies or codes communicatingbetween the modules and the receptacles.

The battery communications module 150 may perform several functions.First, the battery communications module 150 may sense the state ofcharge of the batteries in the carriers in the bins 114. The batterycommunications module 150 delivers this information to the centralprocessing unit for storage in the memory/database module 138. Thebattery communications module 150 may also cause the state of chargedisplay 120 to indicate the state of charge of the battery packs in thatbin 114. Second, the battery communications module 150 may sense thecondition of the batteries in the bin 114. If, for example, thecondition indicates that the batteries have reached or exceeded theiruseful life, the battery communications module 150 may communicate thisinformation to the central processing unit 140 and disable furtherrenting of those battery packs. Third, the battery communications module150, alone or based on instructions from the central processing unit140, may prioritize and control the timing of when the carriers 200 ineach bin 114 are allowed to charge the battery packs in their bin 114.The prioritization may be based on a variety of parameters (which may besensed by the battery communications module 150, decided in an algorithmexecuted in the central processing unit 140 and/or stored in thememory/database module 138), such as the amount of available chargingpower, the cost of available charging power, the relative states ofcharge of the battery packs in the bins, the number of battery packs ineach bin, the conditions of the battery packs in each bin, andreservation schedules for renting the battery packs in each bin. Furtherdetails about the charging of the batteries in the bins are discussedbelow.

The bin dispensing module 152 controls when to open the various bins toenable a user to insert or remove a carrier 200 and battery packs 300into or from the bins. For example, based on a rental order receivedand/or processed in the central processing unit 140 and/or stored in thememory/database module 138, the bin dispensing module 152 may unlock adoor 116 of a particular bin 114 and enable removal of the carrier 200and battery packs 300 in that bin 114. Similarly, based on a returnorder received and/or processed in the central processing unit and/orstored in the memory/database module 138, the bin dispensing module 152may identify an empty bin 114 and unlock the door 116 to that bin 114 toenable insertion of a carrier 200 and battery packs 300 in the bin 114.Finally, the bin dispensing module 152 may monitor or control which ofseveral available carriers 200 should be rented in response to a rentalrequest, based on factors such as the state of charge, age, or conditionof the battery packs and the duration that the battery packs have beenreceived in the bins.

Referring also to FIG. 7, the external communications module 146 enablesthe central processing unit 140 of one or more kiosks 100 to communicatewith each other and with one or more external computing or communicationdevices, such as one or more central servers 160, one or more personalcomputers or workstations 162, one or more smartphones or tabletcomputers 164, etc. Communication between and among the kiosks 100 andthese devices 160, 162, 164 may be via one or more telecommunicationsnetworks 145 such as internets, intranets, virtual private networks,public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), cellular communicationsnetworks, Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth® communication networks, LANs, WANs,fiber optic communications networks, cable communications networks,satellite communication networks, etc. In other embodiments, computingdevices such as smartphones and tablets may communicate directly withkiosks, bypassing the central servers and the telecommunicationsnetworks. The computing devices and communications networks shown inFIGS. 4 and 7 facilitate remote communication and management amongowners and customers and kiosks, such as: reserving and ordering rentalbattery packs; purchasing and reserving retail goods; communicating withusers when a rental battery pack is due for return; inventory managementof kiosks; locating kiosks with available battery packs for rental atthe closest geographic locations, and sending advertisements regardingthe kiosk products to customers and potential customers of the kiosks.

In one implementation, operation of the kiosk 100 may be controlledlocally by user interaction with the user interface 110 on the kiosk100. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an exemplary flow chart 400 for userinteraction with the user interface 110 on the kiosk. FIGS. 10A-16illustrate exemplary screen shots of the user interface 110 whenimplementing the flow chart 400 in FIGS. 8 and 9. In implementing theseflow charts, the central processing unit 140 directs the user interfacecontrol module 144 to control the user interface 110 and the paymentprocessing area 112. The user interface control module 144 controls theinformation that is displayed on the screen 126, based on instructionsfrom the central processing unit 140. The user interface control module144 also receives and processes input into the user input device 128 ofdesired actions such as renting carriers 200 and battery packs 300,returning carriers 200 and battery packs 300, or purchasing retailitems, and transmits signals corresponding to this information to thecentral processing unit 140 for further processing. In addition, theuser interface control module 126 receives and processes paymentsreceived in the payment processing area 112, and transmits signalscorresponding to this information to the central processing unit 140 forfurther processing.

Referring to FIG. 8, at step 402, the user approaches the kiosk 100 andactivates the user interface 110, e.g., by touching it. At step 404 andFIG. 10A, the user interface 110 prompts the user to select a language(e.g., English, Spanish, etc.). At step 406 and FIG. 10B, an actionprompt requests that the user sign in with an existing user ID andpassword, register with a new user ID or password, or proceed as a guestwithout a user ID and password. At step 408 and FIG. 10C, the userinterface 110 main menu prompts the user to select among severalactions: Rental, Return, Reserve, Retail, Pick-Up Order and Info.

Rental

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 11A-11E, if, at step 408, the user selectsRental, the rental subroutine 410 is activated to enable the user toselect and rent one or more carriers 200 and battery packs 300 forrental. At step 412 and FIG. 11A, the user interface prompts the user toselect the number of carriers and battery packs for rental. As shown inFIG. 11A, the carriers and battery packs may be priced according to thenumber of packs in the carrier and the state of charge of the packs(e.g., 100%, 80%, 60%, etc.). The user may also be prompted to selectthe type of battery packs (e.g., voltage, wattage, capacity, etc.)and/or the rental duration (e.g., number of hours or days).

At step 414 and FIG. 11B, the user interface 110 prompts the user toreview the selected rental battery packs that have been placed into anelectronic shopping cart. At step 416 and FIG. 11C, the user interface110 prompts the user to confirm agreement with the terms of a rentalagreement. At step 418, the kiosk 110 may also provide the user with anotification of the rental due date (e.g., via a text message, ane-mail, or a printed receipt). At step 420 and FIG. 11D, the userinterface 110 prompts the user to use the payment processing area to payfor the rental (e.g., via credit card, voucher, gift card, cash,corporate account, etc.). At step 422, the kiosk 110 places a hold onthe user's account and/or credit card in an amount to ensure timelyreturn of the rental battery packs (e.g., for the retail value of thecarrier and battery packs). At step 424, the bin dispensing module 152unlocks and/or opens one or more the bin doors 116 to enable the user,at step 426, to retrieve the rented carrier(s) and associated batterypack(s). As shown in FIG. 11E, the user interface 110 may indicate tothe user which bin(s) have been unlocked. At step 428, the user closesthe bin door(s), thus ending the transaction at step 429. A record ofthe rental transaction (including, e.g., an identifier of carrier andbattery packs rented, payment information, credit card hold information,and user ID) is stored in the memory/database module 138, and may alsobe communicated by the external communications module 146 to a centralserver and/or to the user's computing device or mobile phone.

Return

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 12A-12D, if, at step 408, the user selectsReturn, the return subroutine 430 is executed to enable a user to returna previously rented carrier and associated battery packs. At step 432and FIG. 12A, the user interface 110 prompts the user to identify thecarriers and packs to be returned by swiping the credit card used in theprevious transaction or by inputting a login ID and password. At step434, the user interface 110 communicates the previous paymentinformation to the central processing unit 140, which retrieves from thememory/database module 138 the record containing the identificationinformation and quantify of the carriers 200 and battery packs 300rented. At step 436 and FIG. 12B, the user interface 110 prompts theuser to choose which ones and how many of the rented carriers andbattery packs to return to the kiosk 100. At step 438 and FIG. 12C, theuser interface 110 prompts the user to identify any of the rentedbattery packs 300 that may be damaged or underperforming.

At step 440, the bin dispensing module 152 unlocks and/or opens one ormore bin doors 116 to enable the user to return the carriers and batterypacks. As shown in FIG. 12D, the user interface 110 identifies whichbins 114 have been unlocked for return of the carriers 200 and batterypacks 300. At step 442, the user returns the carriers 200 and batterypacks 300 to the open bins 114. At step 444, the kiosk 100 verifies thatthe carriers 200 and battery packs 300 are the ones that should bereturned. This can be performed, for example, by scanning a bar code orQR code on the carrier and/or battery packs, by sensing an RFID tag onthe carrier and/or battery packs, or by identification of a electronicsignal generated by the carriers and/or battery packs. At step 446, thecentral processing unit 140 causes the bin dispensing module 152 to lockthe bin door(s) 116 to the bins 114 into which the carriers 200 andbattery packs 300 have been returned. At step 448, the centralprocessing unit 140 interfaces with the memory/database module 138 andthe external communications module 146 to release the hold on the user'scredit card or corporate account, thus terminating the returntransaction at step 449.

Reserve

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 13A-13F, if, at step 408, the user selectsReserve, then the reserve subroutine 450 is executed to enable a user toreserve a rental carrier 200 and battery packs 300 for a later time. Atstep 452 and FIG. 13A, the user interface 110 prompts the user to selecta future date and time for a reservation for a carrier 200 and batterypacks 300. At step 454 and FIG. 13B, the user interface 110 prompts theuser to select the number of carriers and battery packs for rental. Theprice may be based on the number of packs rented and their state ofcharge. In other implementations, the user may select the type ofbattery packs (e.g., voltage, wattage, capacity, etc.) and/or the rentalduration (e.g., number of hours or days). At step 456 and FIG. 13C, theuser interface 110 prompts the user to review an electronic shoppingcart into which the rental selections have been placed. At step 458 andFIG. 13D, the user interface 110 prompts the user to confirm agreementwith the terms of the rental agreement. At step 460, the kiosk 110provides the user with a notification of the rental date and time (e.g.,via a text message, an e-mail, or a printed receipt). At step 462 andFIG. 13E, the user interface 110 prompts the user to use the paymentprocessing area to process a payment for the rental (e.g., via creditcard, voucher, corporate account, etc.). At step 464, the kiosk 110places a hold on the user's account and/or credit card in to hold thereservation. At step 466, the central processing unit 140 stores arecord corresponding to the reservation in the memory/database module138 and/or causes the external communications module 146 to place arecord of the reservation in the central server 160, thus ending theReserve transaction at step 468.

At step 470 and as shown in FIG. 13F, at a later time closer to thereservation date and time, the central processing unit 140 or thecentral server 160 causes an electronic reminder to be sent to the user,e.g., via text message, automated phone call, e-mail, or appnotification. The user is given the option to obtain directions to thekiosk 100, review the order, or cancel or modify the order. The userthen proceeds to the kiosk 100 to pick up the rented carriers andbattery packs, as described below.

Pick-Up

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 14A-14D, in the Pick-Up subroutine, at step472, the user arrives at the kiosk 100. At step 474 and FIG. 14A, theuser interface 110 prompts the user to provide the payment method usedfor the previous transaction (e.g., by swiping the credit card used inthe payment processing area 112) or to input an account login ID andpassword. At step 476, the user interface 110 communicates the previouspayment information or account ID and password to the central processingunit 140, which retrieves from the memory/database module 138 or acentral server 160 a record containing identification information andquantity of the carriers 200 and battery packs 300 that have beenreserved. At step 478 and FIG. 14B, the user interface 110 prompts theuser to rent additional carriers and battery packs (as described abovewith respect to the Rental subroutine) or purchase additional goods (asdescribed below with respect to the Retail subroutine). At step 480 andFIG. 14C, the user interface 110 prompts the user to review the shoppingcart, which now includes any additional rental battery packs or retailgoods that have been ordered.

At step 482 and FIG. 14D, the user interface 110 prompts the user to usethe payment processing area to process a payment for the additionalrental or retail goods (e.g., via credit card, voucher, corporateaccount, cash, etc.). At step 484, the bin dispensing module 152 unlocksand/or opens one or more the bin doors 116 to enable the user, at step486, to retrieve the rented carrier(s) 200 and associated batterypack(s) 300. As shown in FIG. 14E, the user interface 110 indicates tothe user which bin(s) have been unlocked. At step 488, the user closesthe bin door(s), thus ending the transaction at step 489. A record ofthe transaction (including, e.g., identifier of carrier and batterypacks rented, payment information, credit card hold information, anduser ID) is stored in the memory/database module 138, and may also becommunicated by the external communications module 146 to the centralserver and/or to the user's computing device or mobile phone.

Retail

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 15A-15G, if, at step 408, the user selectsRetail, then the retail subroutine 490 is executed to enable a user topurchase retail products through the kiosk 100. At step 492 and FIG.15A, the user interface 110 prompts the user to select between Onsitepurchases and Online purchases. If, at step 492, the user selectsOnsite, then the Onsite subroutine 494 is executed. At step 495 and FIG.15B, the user interface 110 prompts the user to select the item andquantity from among the items available for immediate sale in the retailvending area 108. At step 496 and FIG. 15C, the user interface 110prompts the user to review the selected items that have been placed intoan electronic shopping cart. At step 498 and FIG. 15D, the userinterface 110 prompts the user to use the payment processing area 112 toprocess a payment for the purchase (e.g., via credit card, voucher,corporate account, cash etc.). At step 500, the kiosk 100 dispenses theitem and provides a receipt for the purchase (e.g., via electronic mail,text message, or printed receipt), thus ending the transaction at step502. A record of the transaction (including, e.g., identifier of itemspurchased, payment information, user ID, etc.) may be stored in thememory/database module 138, and may also be communicated by the externalcommunications module 146 to the central server and/or to the user'scomputing device or mobile phone.

If, at step 492, the user selects Online, then the online subroutine 504is executed to enable a user to purchase retail products not availableonsite in the kiosk 100. At step 506 and FIG. 15E, the user interface110 may prompt the user to select from among a plurality ofmanufacturers or retailers of products similar to those sold in thekiosk. At step 508 and FIG. 15F, the user interface 110 may display anonline e-commerce website of a selected manufacturer or retailer ofproducts to enable online ordering just as one would do on thetraditional e-commerce website. For example, the external communicationsmodule 146 may communicate, via the internet, and download to the userinterface 110 the e-commerce website of the selected manufacturer orretailer or a specially designed e-commerce app or interface for displayon the user interface 110. The user then shops on the e-commerce websitefor the desired goods to be purchased. At step 510 and FIG. 15G, theuser interface 110 prompts the user to use the payment processing area112 to process a payment for the purchase (e.g., via credit card,voucher, corporate account, cash, etc.). The machine then dispenses areceipt for the purchase (e.g., via electronic mail, text message, orprinted receipt), thus ending the transaction at step 512. A record ofthe transaction (including, e.g., identifier of items purchased, paymentinformation, user ID, etc.) may be stored in the memory/database module138, and may also be communicated by the external communications module146 to the central server and/or to the user's computing device ormobile phone.

Information

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 16, if, at step 408, the user selects Info,then the information subroutine 520 is executed to enable a user toobtain certain information and assistance via the user interface 110. Inthe information subroutine 520, and as shown in FIG. 16, the userinterface 110 prompts the user to select among a menu of informationoptions, including at least one or more of the following options. Foreach option, the information displayed on the user interface 110 may bestored locally in the memory/database module 138 or remotely at acentral server 160 or elsewhere on the internet, and may be retrieved byinstructions from the central processing unit 140 and/or externalcommunications module 146, and displayed on the user interface 110 bythe user interface control module 144.

At option 522, the user interface 110 enables the user to register foran account or review and modify account information such as user ID,password, credit card, corporate account number, etc. At option 524, theuser interface 110 enables the user to review his or her history forbattery pack rental usage. At option 526, the user interface 110 enablesthe user to view targeted advertising and promotions, such as videopromotions directed to products similar to those previously purchased bythat user. At option 528, the user interface 110 allows the user toreview the battery pack rental agreement policy. At option 530, the userinterface 110 allows the user to view other kiosk locations, and toreview the inventory for battery pack rentals and retail vending atthese other locations. At option 532, the user interface 110 enables theuser to obtain information about obtaining a kiosk at a new location,such as a worksite or jobsite. At option 534, the user interface 110enables the user to compare the cost of operating gas powered powertools vs. the cost of battery pack rentals for cordless power tools.

At option 536, the user interface 110 allows the user to send aninvitation (such as an e-mail or text message) to friends or colleagues,inviting them to try the kiosk. At option 538, the user interface 110displays instructional videos, such as how to use the carrier, how thebattery pack rentals work, etc. At option 540, the user interface 110links to an app store or displays a QR code that can be scanned by theuser's smartphone, to enable the user to download an app to allow forinteraction with the kiosk 110, as described below. At option 542, theuser interface 110 allows the user to view a local weather forecast. Atoption 544, the user interface 110 allows the user to contact a servicecenter (e.g., via electronic mail or live online chat). At option 546,the user interface 110 allows the user to report a problem with thekiosk or the rental carriers or battery packs. At option 548, the usercan complete a form to leave a comment or suggestion for the owner ofthe kiosk.

Referring to FIGS. 17-22, modified versions of the Reserve, Retail, andInfo transactions may be implemented remotely on a mobile smartphone ortablet computer app or on a website accessed via a user's personalcomputer. The smartphone, tablet, or personal computer communicates, viaa telecommunications network, with one or more kiosks 100 and/or withone or central servers, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The smartphone appwill be described in detail below. However, it should be understood thata tablet app or a website can be implemented with similar functionality.FIG. 17 is a flow chart 600 that illustrates some of the functionalityof an app. FIGS. 18-22 are smartphone screenshots that illustrate someof the functionality of an app. These and other implementations arewithin the scope of this disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18A-18B, the user first selects a type oftransaction to be performed. At step 602, and FIG. 18A, an action promptrequests that the user sign in with an existing user ID and password orregister with a new user ID or password. At step 604 and FIG. 18B, themain menu prompts the user to select among several actions: Reserve,Retail, and Information.

Reserve

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 19A-19G, if, at step 604, the user selectsReserve, then the reserve subroutine 610 is executed to enable a user toreserve a rental carrier 200 and battery packs 300 for pick up from akiosk 100 at a later time. At step 612 and FIG. 19A, the app prompts theuser to select a geographic location for a kiosk 100. The app may accessthe smartphone's location services to find the kiosks located closest tothe user at that time. Alternatively, the user may be prompted to enteran address or zip code to find the kiosks 100 closest to the particularaddress or zip code. The kiosks may be viewed in a map view or byaddress. At step 614 and FIG. 19B, the app prompts the user to select afuture date and time for a reservation for renting carriers 200 andbattery packs 300. At step 454 and FIG. 19C, the app prompts the user toselect the number of carriers and battery packs for rental. The pricemay be based on the number of packs rented and their state of charge. Inother implementations, the user may select the type of battery packs(e.g., voltage, wattage, capacity, etc.) and/or the rental duration(e.g., number of hours or days). At step 618 and FIG. 19D, the appprompts the user to review an electronic shopping cart into which therental selections have been placed. At step 620 and FIG. 19E, the appprompts the user to confirm agreement with the terms of the rentalagreement.

At step 622, the app provides the user with a notification of the rentaldate and time (e.g., via a text message, an e-mail, or a printedreceipt). At step 624 and FIG. 19F, the app prompts the user for paymentinformation for the rental (e.g., via credit card, debit card, orcorporate account). At step 626, the app places a hold on the user'scorporate account and/or credit card in to hold the reservation. At step628 the transaction ends with the app communicating with the kiosk 100and/or the central server to store a record corresponding to thereservation. At step 629 and as shown in FIG. 19G, at a later timecloser to the reservation date and time, the central processing unit 140or the central server 160 causes an electronic reminder to be sent tothe user, e.g., via text message, automated phone call, e-mail, or appnotification. The user is given the option to obtain directions to thekiosk 110, review the order, or cancel or modify the order. The userthen proceeds to the kiosk 110 to pick up the rented carriers andbattery packs, as described in the Pick-Up transaction above.

Retail

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 20A-20E, if, at step 604, the user selectsRetail, then the retail subroutine 630 is executed to enable a user topurchase retail products via the kiosk rental app. At step 632 and FIG.20A, the app prompts the user to select between Kiosk purchases (forpick-up at the kiosk) and Online purchases (for home delivery or pick-upat a retailer). If, at step 632, the user selects Kiosk, then the Kiosksubroutine 634 is executed. At step 636 and FIG. 20B, the app promptsthe user to select a geographic location for a kiosk 100. The app mayaccess the smartphone's location services to find the kiosk(s) locatedclosest to the user at that time. Alternatively, the user may beprompted to enter an address or zip code to find the kiosks 100 closestto the particular address or zip code. The kiosks may be viewed in a mapview or by address. At step 638 and FIG. 20B, the app prompts the userto select the item and quantity from among the items available forimmediate sale in the retail vending area 108 of the kiosk 100. At step640 and FIG. 20C, the app prompts the user to review the selected itemsthat have been placed into an electronic shopping cart. At step 642 andFIG. 20D, the app prompts the user to make a payment for the purchase,e.g., via credit card, debit card, corporate account, etc. At step 644,the transaction ends with the app communicating with the kiosk 100and/or the central server to store a record corresponding to thereservation. At step 646 and as shown in FIG. 20E, at a later time, thecentral processing unit 140 or the central server 160 causes anelectronic reminder to be sent to the user, e.g., via text message,automated phone call, e-mail, or app notification. The user is given theoption to obtain directions to the kiosk 110, review the order, orcancel or modify the order. The user then proceeds to the kiosk 110 topick up the purchased items. The reserved retail products may be heldfor the user for a limited period of time, after which, if the userfails to pick up the products, they are returned to the inventory andthe user's payment is refunded.

If, at step 632, the user selects Online, then the online subroutine 650is executed to enable a user to purchase retail products from an onlinee-commerce website or store. At step 652, the app may prompt the user toselect from among a plurality of manufacturers or retailers of productssimilar to those sold in the kiosk. At step 654, the app may display orlink to an online e-commerce website, app, or specially designed userinterface of a selected manufacturer or retailer of products to enableonline ordering just as one would do on the traditional e-commercewebsite. The user then shops on the e-commerce website for the desiredgoods to be purchased. At step 656, the app or the e-commerce websiteprompts the user to make a payment for the purchase (e.g., via creditcard, debit card, corporate account, etc.). The app then sends a receiptfor the purchase to the user (e.g., via electronic mail, text message,etc.), thus ending the transaction at step 658. A record of thetransaction (including, e.g., identifier of items purchased, paymentinformation, user ID, etc.) may be stored in the memory/database module,and may also be communicated by the external communications module tothe central server.

Information

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 21, if, at step 602, the user selectsInformation, then the information subroutine 660 is executed to enable auser to obtain certain information and assistance via the app. In theinformation subroutine 660, and as shown in FIG. 21, the display screenprompts the user to select among a menu of information options,including at least one or more of the following options. For eachoption, the information displayed to the user may be stored locally inthe app, or remotely at a central server 160 or elsewhere on theinternet.

At option 662, the app enables the user to register for an account orreview and modify account information such as user ID, password, creditcard, corporate account number, etc. At option 664, the app enables theuser to review his or her history for battery pack rental usage. Atoption 666, the app enables the user to view targeted advertising andpromotions, such as video promotions directed to products similar tothose previously purchased by that user. At option 668, the app allowsthe user to review the battery pack rental agreement policy. At option670, the app allows the user to search for kiosk locations, and toreview the inventory for battery pack rentals and retail vending atthese locations. At option 672, the app enables the user to obtaininformation about obtaining a kiosk at a new location, such as aworksite or jobsite. At option 674, the user interface 110 enables theuser to compare the cost of operating gas powered power tools vs. thecost of battery pack rentals for cordless power tools.

At option 676, the app allows the user to send an invitation (such as ane-mail or text message) to friends or colleagues, inviting them to trythe kiosk or the kiosk app. At option 678, the app displaysinstructional videos, such as how to use the carrier, how the batterypack rentals work, etc. At option 680, the app allows the user to view alocal weather forecast. At option 682, the app allows the user tocontact a service center (e.g., via electronic mail or live onlinechat). At option 684, the app allows the user to report a problem with akiosk or rental carriers or battery packs. At option 686, the user cancomplete a form to leave a comment or suggestion for the owner of thekiosk.

Referring to FIG. 22, the app can also provide in app notifications 690or e-mail or text notifications to remind a user when rental carriersand battery packs are due to be returned to the kiosk. This notificationmay be stored locally in the app (running in the background) or may bepushed to the user's smartphone from the central server. For example, asshown in FIG. 22, the app notifies the user that the rental carriers andpacks are due to be returned in three hours.

Referring to FIG. 23, the power distribution module 130 is coupled to asource of external electrical power 132, e.g., an AC mains line,batteries, solar panels, a generator, etc. via a plug or connector 133.The power distribution module 130 distributes the electrical power tothe other areas and modules of the kiosk 100, including to the batterypack rental area 106 and module 136, the retail vending area 108 andmodule 134, the user interface 110 and module 144, and the advertisingdisplay area 104 and module 142. The power distribution module 130 mayinclude circuits to modify, rectify, transform, divide, modulate,regulate and/or invert the incoming electrical signals for distributionto the various areas and modules of the kiosk 100 by means known to oneof ordinary skill in the art. For example, the power distribution module130 may transform an incoming AC signal to a DC signal to distribute tosome of the components. In addition, the power distribution module 130may include one or more fuses or circuit breakers 131 to preventoverload of the circuits in the various modules of the kiosk 100.

Alternatively, an exemplary power distribution module is coupled to a240V, 50 A power source such as an AC mains line 132. The powerdistribution 130 splits the 240V AC power source into two 120V AC powersources. distributed over a power bus or power supply lines. The powerdistribution module 130 distributes the 120V AC power supply to each bin114 over a power bus or power supply line 135. The power distributionmodule 130 may include a fuse 131, for example a 10 A fuse, on the ACpower supply line prior to the bins 114. The power distribution module130 also provides power to the CPU 140. Either the power distributionmodule 130 or the CPU 140 may include circuitry to convert the 120V ACpower supply to the appropriate voltage for the CPU 140, as would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Also illustrated in FIG. 23 are communication lines 137 between the CPU140 and each of the bins 114. As noted above, each bin 114 includes acommunications connector 178 and as discussed in more detail below, eachcarrier 200 includes a communications connector that is configured tocouple to the bin communications connector 178. These communicationsconnectors allow the CPU 140 to monitor and communicate with the bins114, the carriers 200 and the batteries 300 to manage receiving,dispensing, and renting the carriers 200 and battery packs 300, andmonitoring and/or managing the charging of the battery packs 300 by thecarriers 200.

Referring to FIG. 24, there is illustrated a view of the bin 114 from afront side of the kiosk 100 including an exemplary carrier 200. As notedabove, the bin 114 includes two sidewalls 170, a top wall 172 and abottom wall 174. As also noted above, each of the sidewalls includes therails 184. Also illustrated in FIG. 24 is the bin communicationsconnector 178 coupled to the carrier communications connector 216 andthe bin power connector 180 coupled to the carrier AC power inputconnector 212.

Also referring to FIGS. 25-29, the illustrated carrier 200 includes ahousing 202 and a carrying handle 206. The carrier housing 200 includesside walls. Each of the sidewalls includes a longitudinal groove 220.Each carrier housing groove 220 is configured to receive one of the binsidewall rails 184 when the carrier 200 is received in the bin 114.These grooves 220 and rails 184 insure that the carrier AC power inputconnector 212, the carrier communications connector 216 and thecharge/discharge switch 222 align with the bin power connector 180, thebin communications connector 178, and the bin extension 182,respectively, when the carrier 200 is received in the bin 114. The rails184 may be adjustable to accommodate various size carriers 200. Therails 184 may serve to keep the carrier 200 raised from the bottom wall174 to allow air cooling of the carrier 200 when the battery packs 300are being charged inside the bin 114.

The carrier 200 may also include a door or cover 204. The cover 204 maybe transparent. The carrier housing 202 includes a plurality ofreceptacles 208. Each receptacle 208 is configured to receive one therechargeable, removable battery packs 300. The cover 204 may beconfigured to allow access to a plurality of the receptacles 208. In analternate exemplary embodiment, there may be an individual cover 204 foreach receptacle 208. The cover(s) may include latching system elementsconfigured to operate with corresponding latching system elements on thecarrier housing 202 to fix the cover 204 to the housing 202 and to allowa user to open and close the door(s). The carrier 200 may include one ormore security features, e.g., loops or latches 209 to receive one ormore user applied padlocks 210 or other security locking devices to lockthe cover(s) 204 to the carrier housing 202.

In the disclosed exemplary embodiment, the housing 202 includes sixreceptacles 208 a-f for receiving six battery packs 300 a-f,respectively. However, it should be understood that the carrier 200 mayhave any number of receptacles 208 for receiving a corresponding numberof battery packs 300.

As illustrated in FIGS. 29A and 29B, each receptacle 208 includes aterminal block 256 for electrically coupling the battery pack 300 to theinternal circuitry of the carrier 200. In the illustrated exemplaryembodiment, the battery packs 300 may be convertible battery packs, asdisclosed and described in provisional U.S. Patent Application Nos.61/944,953 filed May 18, 2014, 62/000,112 filed May 19, 2014 and62/046,546 filed Sep. 5, 2014, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/715,258, filed May 18, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein byreference. The battery packs 300 may be any one of the embodimentsdescribed in the aforementioned provisional applications. As such, thecarrier terminal block would be configured in the same manner as thepower tool terminal block for a corresponding convertible battery packas disclosed and described in the aforementioned U.S. ProvisionalApplications. The exemplary battery packs 300 are 20V/60V rated voltagebattery packs, however battery packs 300 having other rated voltages arecontemplated and encompassed by the present disclosure. Additionally, inalternate exemplary embodiments, the battery packs 300 may benon-convertible battery packs such as the battery packs disclosed anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,653,787, which is incorporated herein byreference. These battery packs 300 may be any of a variety of ratedvoltages, for example 20V, 40V, 60V, etc.

The housing 202 also includes an AC power input connector 212, e.g., a 3prong 120 VAC male plug or female receptacle, a universal DC power inputconnector 214 for connecting to a DC power supply, e.g., a 12V carcharger port, a USB port, and/or a trailer adapter port, and acommunications connector 216, e.g., a USB port, a serial port, or a setof electrical contacts. The carrier 200 also includes a power outputconnector 218. In a first exemplary embodiment, the power outputconnector 218 is an AC power output connector. In a second exemplaryembodiment, the power output connector 218 is a DC power outputconnector. The carrier 200 also includes a switch 222 for switchingbetween a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs 300using electrical power input through the power input connectors 212,214, and a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical powerfrom the battery packs 300 through the power output connector 218.Alternatively, the external switch 222 may be replaced with an automaticinternal switch and a current sensor for the AC and DC power inputs suchthat the internal switch switches to charging mode when the currentsensor senses an input current and switches to discharge mode when thecurrent sensor does not sense an input current.

As noted above, the kiosk 100 includes the power supply line 135 coupledto the bin power connector 180 of each bin 114. The bin power connector180 is configured to electrically and mechanically couple with thecarrier AC power input connector 212 when the carrier 200 is received inthe bin 114. Also as noted above, the kiosk 100 includes thecommunications line 137 coupled to the bin communications connector 178.The bin communications connector is configured to electrically andmechanically couple with the carrier communications connector 216 whenthe carrier 200 is received in the bin 114. As described in greaterdetail below, when the carrier 200 is received in the bin 114, thecommunications line 137 and the communications connectors 178, 216enable communications between the kiosk 100 and the carrier 200 tomanage and/or control when and how the power delivered through the powerinput line 135 is used to charge the battery packs 300.

As illustrated in the simplified schematic of FIG. 30, the carrier 200includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components formonitoring, managing and/or controlling the charging and discharging ofthe battery packs 300. More particularly, the carrier 200 includes asystem management unit (SMU) 250. The SMU 250 may be configured as asingle printed circuit assembly or may be configured as two printedcircuit assemblies 250 a, 250 b—as illustrated in FIG. 30—or may beconfigured as more than two printed circuit assemblies. The SMU 250 mayinclude a processor and may include a charge/discharge control module252. The carrier 200 may be configured to include a charge/dischargecontrol module 252 for each battery 300—as illustrated in FIG. 30—or mayinclude a single charge/discharge control module 252 for all of thebatteries 300 or may include some other number of charge/dischargecontrol modules. As discussed in more detail below, the charge/dischargecontrol modules 252 communicate with the SMU 250 which in turncommunicates with the kiosk 100 through a plurality of communicationlines 254 connected to the communication connector 216.

Each receptacle 208 includes a terminal block 256 and each battery pack300 includes a terminal block 310. Furthermore, the charge/dischargecontrol modules 252 are electrically connected to the battery packs 300via the receptacle terminal block 256 and the battery pack terminalblock 310. The charge/discharge control module 252 controls a pluralityof switches 258 to provide a charging current to the battery packs 300through the carrier power supply lines 260, the receptacle terminalblock 256 and the battery pack terminal block 310—as will be discussedin more detail below.

The SMU 250 also communicates with a power supply 262 coupled to the ACpower input connector 212 and a power supply 264 coupled to the DC powerinput connector 214. The AC power supply 262 may be, for example, a 120VAC to 60 VDC power supply and the DC power supply 264 may be, forexample, a 12 VDC to 60 VDC power supply to supply power to the batterypacks 300. The power supplies 262, 264 will be configured to provide acharging voltage equal to the rated charging voltage of the battery packconfiguration of a particular carrier 200. For example, if all of thebattery packs are 60 V battery packs then the power supplies will beconfigured to provide a 60 VDC output. Alternatively, if all of thebattery packs are 20 V battery packs then the power supplies will beconfigured to provide a 20 VDC output.

The SMU 250 also communicates with an inverter 266. The inverter 266 maybe a pure sine wave inverter, a modified sign wave inverter, a pulsewave inverter or any other inverter capable of providing an AC outputsignal or an approximated AC output signal for providing power to ACelectrical and electronic devices. The inverter 266 is electricallyconnected to the power output connector 218. In the exemplaryembodiment, the inverter is a 189 VDC to 120 VAC, square waveapproximation of sine wave inverter. In an alternate embodiment, thecarrier 200 does not include an inverter and only provides DC outputpower.

The SMU 250 is also electrically connected to the discharge/charge modeswitch 222. Generally speaking, when the switch 222 is in the chargeposition, a charge signal is sent to the SMU 250. In turn, the SMU 250sends a signal to the inverter 266 to turn the inverter 266 off, sends asignal to the power supply 262, 264 to turn the power supply 262, 264on, and selectively sends a signal to the switches 258 to close theswitches 258 to selectively connect the battery packs 300 to the powersupplies 262, 264. Depending upon the battery pack 300 status and thecarrier 200 status, the SMU 250 and the charge/discharge control modules252 will operate to charge the appropriate carriers 200 and batterypacks 300.

Generally speaking, when the switch 222 is in the discharge position, adischarge signal is sent to the SMU 250. In turn, the SMU 250 sends asignal to the inverter 266 to turn the inverter 266 on, sends a signalto the power supply 262, 264 to turn the power supply 262, 264 off, andselectively sends a signal to the switches 258 to selectively open theswitches 258 to disconnect the battery packs 300 from the power supplies262, 264.

The carrier 200 may also include a plurality of door switches 268. Thedoor switches 268 ensure that the terminal blocks of an empty receptacleare not of a dangerous electrical potential when the door 204 is open.More particularly if the door 204 is open and two receptacles 208 a, 208b have fully charged battery packs 300 a, 300 b inserted therein and athird receptacle 208 c does not have a battery pack 300 c insertedtherein a voltage across the empty terminal block could be approximately60V. And if the door was open and the door switches were not present auser could conceivably touch the terminals at a dangerous electricalpotential and receive a potentially dangerous shock. As such, when thedoor 204 is open all three door switches 268 a, 268 b, 268 c will beopen. This will provide an open circuit between carrier receptacleterminal blocks and prevent potential shocks when not all of thereceptacles include battery packs 300.

In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the carrier 200 does not include acharger and the kiosk 100 does include a charger. In this embodiment,the battery packs 300 may only be charged when the carrier 200 is in thekiosk bin 114 or connected to a separate charger that could provideequivalent charging functionality to that of the kiosk 100.

The carrier 200 can communicate with each of the plurality of batterypacks 300 for purposes of identifying a particular battery pack 300,performing a status diagnosis of the battery pack 300 and/or reportingdata logging associated with the battery pack 300. The carrier 200 cancommunicate with the kiosk 100 through the carrier communication lines306, the carrier communication connector 216, the bin communicationconnector 178 and the kiosk communication lines 137 when the carrier 200is in the kiosk bin 114 for transferring information regarding thestatus and health of the battery packs 300 and carrier 200, regardingthe identification of the battery packs 300, regarding the data logginginformation associated with the battery packs 300, and for receivingcharge instructions from the kiosk 100.

When the carrier 200 is received in the bin 114 the kiosk 100 mayprovide charging power to the carrier 200 through the kiosk power supplylines 135, the bin power connector 180, the carrier AC power inputconnector 212, the AC power supply 262, and the carrier power supplylines 260. When the carrier 200 is not in the kiosk 100, alternate powersources may provide charging power to the carrier 200. For example, anAC mains line power supply may provide charging power to the carrier 200through a power supply cord connected to the carrier AC power inputconnector 212, the carrier AC power supply 262 and the carrier powersupply lines 260. Alternately, for example, an automotive power supply,a solar power supply or a trailer power supply may provide chargingpower to the carrier 200 through a supply cord connected to the carrierDC power input connector 214, the carrier DC power supply 264 and thecarrier power supply lines 260.

Referring to FIG. 32, in an exemplary embodiment, the kiosk 100 mayinclude software and/or hardware programmed to implement a process 700to actively manage the charging of multiple carriers 200 and batterypacks 300 received in the bins 114. At step 702, each time a carrier 200is returned to the kiosk 100, the kiosk CPU 140 queries returned carrier200 for information about the authentication ID (step 704), the state ofcharge (step 706), the DC impedance (step 708), data-logging information(e.g., time uses, charge cycles, shutdowns, etc.) (step 710), faults(step 712), and charge readiness state (step 714) for each pack in eachcarrier. At step 716, this information is stored in the kioskmemory/database module 138, transmitted to the central server 160,and/or associated with one or more user accounts. At step 718, if thereis an invalid pack ID or fault, the user is informed of the fault andprompted for action (e.g., prompting the user to remove the faultycarrier and battery packs and to insert the correct carrier and batterypacks into the bins).

At step 720, the kiosk CPU 140 queries each of the carriers 200 storedin the kiosk 100 for their system state. For example, at step 722, thekiosk CPU 140 queries the state of charge for each of the carriers 200and battery packs 300 stored in the kiosk 100. At step 724, the kioskCPU 140 queries which carriers 200 and battery packs 300 are ready forcharging. At step 726, the kiosk CPU 140 queries which carriers 200 andbattery packs 300 are currently charging and in which mode of charging.At step 730, the kiosk CPU 140 prioritizes the charging order of thecarriers 200 based on a variety of preference rules, such as, forexample, which battery packs 300 are near full state of charge or end ofcharging (step 730), which battery packs 300 have better performance(e.g., capacity, impedance) (step 732), when certain carriers 200 andbattery packs 300 are reserved for future rental (step 734), and limitson total power delivery capability of the kiosk (step 736).

At step 738, a charge enable signal is delivered via the communicationsconnectors 176, 216 to the carrier(s) that have been selected forpriority charging according to the preference rules. At step 740, thecarriers 200 that have received the charge enable signals charge thebattery packs 300 located in those carriers 200. At step 742, eachcarrier 200 sends a disable signal to the kiosk CPU 140 when thecharging is complete, when the battery packs 300 or carriers 200 exceeda temperature threshold, or when there is a fault in the charging. Uponsending the disable signal, the carrier 200 will stop charging thebattery packs, and the CPU 140 will send a charge enable signal to thenext carrier 200 in the priority order. At step 744, the CPU 140 queriesthe carriers 200 as to whether all of the battery packs 300 in eachcarrier 200 are fully charged. If not, then the CPU 140 returns to step728 to reassign priority to the carriers 200. If all battery packs 300are fully charged, then at step 746, the kiosk switches to a batterypack standby management mode in which it maintains the state of chargeof all of the battery packs received in the kiosk.

The carrier 200 can output a power supply signal from the power supplyoutput connector 218 in the form of a waveform that is an approximationof an AC mains line power supply allowing the carrier output to operatenearly all corded electrical devices, including for example, power toolsand home appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, etc.

Referring to FIG. 31, there is illustrated an exemplary battery pack300. As noted above, the battery pack 300 may be a convertible batterypack, for example any one of the battery packs disclosed and describedin the above-referenced U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/944,953filed May 18, 2014, 62/000,112 filed May 19, 2014 and 62/046,546 filedSep. 5, 2014. As such, the battery pack 300 will not be described indetail. The battery pack 300 includes a plurality of cells 306. Thebattery pack 300 also includes a battery terminal block 310. The batteryterminal block 310 includes a plurality of battery terminals 312. Thebattery terminals 312 include a first subset of terminals 312 a thatserve as power terminals 312 a and a second subset of terminals 312 bthat serve as communications or signal terminals 312 b. The battery pack300 also includes a printed circuit assembly 314. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment, the PCA 314 is unique to a rental battery pack300. For example, the rental PCA 314 may allow for 60V charging.Furthermore, the rental PCA 314 may include a clock and generate anexpiration disable signal to disable the battery pack after a certainrental period has ended. This disable signal could be transmitted fromthe battery PCA 314 to the carrier 200. The rental PCA 314 may alsoinclude authentication and serial number information for communicationto the carrier 200 to ensure that only appropriate battery packs arebeing used in conjunction with the carrier 200. The battery PCA 314 mayalso include a processor and a memory element, for example, an EEPROM tostore the aforementioned information and other battery relatedinformation. In alternate embodiments, the battery pack may be astandard retail battery pack with a standard PCA 314 that operates withthe carrier 200, the carrier SMU 250 and the charge/discharge controlmodule 252.

The battery pack may also be discharged into an electrical device (e.g.,a power tool) independent of the carrier by connecting the battery packdirectly to the electrical device via the battery terminal block 310. Inthis case, the discharge circuitry may be located inside of theelectrical device, may be incorporated into the battery pack, or somecombination thereof. Further, the battery pack 300 may be able to becharged by a separate charger independent of the carrier 200 byconnecting the battery pack 300 directly to the charger via the batterypack terminal block 310. The charging circuitry may be located in thecharger, in the battery pack 300, or in some combination thereof. Incertain embodiments, the battery pack 300 may be connected to analternative charging and discharging electrical device such as a radiocharger.

Also illustrated in FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of the receptacleterminal block 256. The receptacle terminal block 256 includes aplurality of carrier terminals 270. The carrier terminals 270 include afirst subset of terminals 270 a that serve as power terminals 270 a anda second subset of terminals 270 b that serve as communications orsignal terminals 270 b. As noted above, the carrier 200 includes thecharge/discharge control module 252. The charge/discharge control module252 is connected to the carrier terminal block 256 by the communicationlines 272 which in turn are connected to the carriercommunication/signal terminals 270 b. The charge/discharge controlmodule 252 also controls the carrier charge control switches 258 toenable/disable charging of the battery packs 300. The charge/dischargecontrol module 252 may also be connected to the power discharge lines274 to enable/disable discharging of the battery packs 300. Thecharge/discharge control module 252 may also process and/or transmit thecommunication signals from the battery pack 300 to the SMU 250.

Referring again to FIG. 30, the carrier 200 may discharge in variousconfigurations. For example, if the receptacles 208 a, 208 b, 208 c have60V battery packs 300 a, 300 b, 300 c therein, the carrier can output120V RMS AC, 15 A waveform through the inverter 266—the three batterypacks 300 a, 300 b, 300 c produce 180V peak voltage for input to theinverter 266. However, if one of the receptacles, for example 208 a,does not have a battery pack 300 a therein the circuit will be open andthe other two battery packs 300 b, 300 c will not be able to discharge.While the three battery packs 300 a, 300 b, 300 c are discharging a 120VAC supply, the three other battery packs 300 d, 300 e, 300 f from thecarrier 200 may be used to operate various electrical devices forexample, the convertible battery packs 300 d, 300 e could be used toprovide power to two 20V rated voltage power tools and the battery pack300 f could be used to provide power to a 60V rated voltage power tool.Alternatively, the battery pack 300 d could be used to provide power toa 20V rated voltage power tool and the battery packs 300 e, 300 f couldbe used to provide power to a 120V rated voltage AC/DC power tool.

The carrier 200 may also provide an AC power supply when the carrier isconnected to an AC input power source. Particularly, when the carrier200 is connected to an AC power supply, for example an AC mains line,the carrier 200 could operate as a power supply pass through byemploying a switch and thereby bypassing the internal power supply 314and the inverter 318 and providing an AC power supply directly from theAC input connector 212 to the AC output connector 218. Alternatively,when the carrier 200 is connected to an AC power supply, for example anAC mains line, and there are three battery packs 300 a, 300 b, 300 c inthe carrier, the carrier 200 can provide AC power supply out from thebattery packs 300 a, 300 b, 300 c through the inverter 266 and poweroutput connector 218 and when power is not being drawn from the batterypacks 300/inverter 266, the carrier 200 can charge the battery packs 300a, 300 b 300 c. Alternatively, if there are more than three batterypacks 300 in the carrier 200 and the carrier 200 is connected to an ACpower supply, the carrier 200 can provide an AC power supply out fromthree of the battery packs 300 a, 300 b, 300 c while simultaneouslycharging the remaining battery packs 300 d and/or 300 e and/or 300 f.

The carrier 200 may also provide very high power output to a specializedhigh power connector 230. In a first exemplary embodiment, if all six ofthe receptacles 208 a-f have 60V battery packs 300 a-f, DC power may besourced directly from the battery packs 300 a-f—bypassing the inverter266—and permitting a larger power output on the specialized high powerconnector 230 than would otherwise be possible within the limitations ofthe inverter 266 or the AC mains line with a circuit limitation, e.g., acircuit breaker. The specialized connector 230 may be configured torestrict the DC power supply for a line of power tools specificallyconfigured to operate with the carrier 200 in this mode.

FIGS. 33-41 schematically illustrate relationships between the carriers200, the battery packs 300 and a variety of power tools and otherelectrical devices. FIG. 33 schematically illustrates that the carrier200 may be used to store and charge a plurality of the battery packs300. In addition, the battery packs may be used to power a variety ofpower tools 800 including a set of low rated voltage DC power tools 802(e.g., under 40V, such as 4V, 8V, 12V, 18V, 20V, 24V and/or 36V), a setof medium rated voltage DC power tools 804 (e.g., 40V to 80V, such as40V, 54V, 60V, 72V, and/or 80V), and a set of high rated voltage DC-onlyor AC/DC power tools 806 (e.g., 100V to 240V, such as 100V, 110V, 120V,220V, 230V and/or 240V). In one embodiment, the battery packs 300 mayinclude one or more convertible battery packs, each of which may beconverted between (1) a first rated voltage and a first rated capacityand (2) a second rated voltage and a second rated capacity that aredifferent than the first rated voltage and the first rated capacity. Forexample, a convertible battery pack may be convertible between a lowrated voltage that corresponds to the low rated voltage power tools 802and a medium rated voltage that corresponds to the medium rated voltagepower tools 804. In this case, a convertible battery pack 300 in its lowrated voltage configuration can power a low rated voltage power tool802, a convertible battery pack 300 in its medium rated voltageconfiguration can power a medium rated voltage power tool 804, and apair of convertible battery packs 300 in their medium rated voltageconfiguration can together power a high rated voltage power tool 806.For example, the battery packs 300 may be convertible between a 20Vrated voltage and a 60V rated voltage so that one battery pack can powera 20V low rated voltage power tool 802 when the battery pack 300 is inits 20V configuration and can power a 60V medium rated voltage powertool when the battery pack is in its 60V configuration, and a pair ofthe battery packs 300 in their 60V configuration can power a 120V highrated voltage power tool. In addition, if the high rated voltage powertool 804 is an AC/DC power tool that can be alternatively powered by anAC input, the AC/DC high rated voltage power tool 804 can be powered byconnecting an AC cord between the AC power output connector 218 of thecarrier 200 and an AC input of the AC/DC high rated voltage power tool804. Further details about using convertible battery packs to power asystem of low, medium, and high rated voltage power tools can be foundin the aforementioned provisional U.S. Patent Application Nos.61/944,953 filed May 18, 2014, 62/000,112 filed May 19, 2014 and62/046,546 filed Sep. 5, 2014, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/715,258, filed May 18, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

Referring to FIG. 34 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodimentof a carrier 200, battery packs 300, and power tools 800 in use. In thisembodiment, three battery packs 300 are stored and being charged in thecarrier 200 by an AC power supply 810. In the meantime, two batterypacks 300 are being used to power a first cordless power tool 812 havinga first rated voltage (e.g., a 60V or 120V blower) and one battery pack300 is being used to power a second cordless power tool 814 having asecond rated voltage (e.g., a 20V or 40V string trimmer).

Referring to FIG. 35, in another embodiment, one battery pack 300 isbeing used to power a first cordless power tool 816 having a first ratedvoltage (e.g., a 20V or 40V string trimmer), and two battery packs 300are being used to power a second cordless power tool 816 having a secondrated voltage (e.g., a 60V or 120V blower). Meanwhile, three batterypacks stored in the carrier 200 are being used to power an AC-onlycorded power tool 820 (e.g., an AC chain saw) via a cord connected tothe AC power output connector 218 of the carrier.

Referring to FIG. 36, in another embodiment, one convertible batterypack 300 is being used to power a first cordless power tool 822 having alow rated voltage (e.g., a 20V circular saw), one convertible batterypack 300 is being used to power a second cordless power tool 824 havinga medium rated voltage (e.g., a 60V circular saw), and two convertiblebattery packs 300 are being used to power a third cordless or AC/DCpower tool 826 having a high rated voltage (e.g., a 120V miter saw).Meanwhile, two battery packs 300 are stored and being charged in thecarrier 200 by an AC power supply.

Referring to FIG. 37, in another embodiment, one battery pack 300 isbeing used to power a first cordless power tool 830 having a first ratedvoltage (e.g., a 60V circular saw), and one battery pack 300 is beingused to power a second cordless or AC/DC power tool 832 having a secondrated voltage (e.g., a 120V miter saw). Meanwhile, three battery packsstored in the carrier 200 are being used to power an AC-only cordedpower tool 834 (e.g., an AC hammer) via a cord connected to the AC poweroutput connector 218 of the carrier 200.

Referring to FIG. 38, in another embodiment, a plurality of batterypacks 300 in a carrier 200 are being used to power a high powered ACtool 836 (e.g., a 120V or 180V jackhammer) via a cord connected to theAC power output connector 218 of the carrier 200. In the meantime, othercarriers 200 containing additional battery packs 300 await use. Thisenables a user to power the high powered AC tool for an entire work day.

Referring to FIG. 39, in another embodiment, the carrier 200 disables atthe end of a predetermined rental period (e.g., three days). Anindicator LED 280 on the carrier flashes to notify the user to returnthe carrier 200 to the kiosk. In addition, an alert is transmittedwirelessly to an app on the user's cell phone or tablet computer 840.Via the cell phone or tablet computer 840, the user may renew the rentalperiod for an additional amount of time (e.g., one more day).

Referring to FIG. 40, in another embodiment, the carrier 200 containinga plurality of battery packs 300 may be used to power an AC electricaldevice or appliance 842 (e.g., a refrigerator) via a cord connected tothe AC power output connector 218.

Referring to FIG. 41, in another embodiment, the carrier 200 containinga plurality of battery packs 300 may be used to power an AC electricaldevice or appliance 844 (e.g., a television) via a cord connected to theAC power output connector 218.

FIG. 42 schematically illustrates the various ways for a user to chargethe battery packs 300 in a carrier 200 while transporting it in avehicle 850 from a first rental kiosk location A to a second rentalkiosk location B. First, the carrier 200 may be used to charge thebattery packs 300 by connecting a cord from a trailer adapter port 852to the universal DC power input connector 214. Second, the carrier 200may be used to charge the battery packs 300 by connecting a cord from asolar cell array 854 to the universal DC power input connector 214.Third, the carrier 200 may be used to charge the battery packs 300 byconnecting a cord from a 12V car charger port 856 to the universal DCpower input connector 214.

Numerous modifications may be made to the exemplary implementationsdescribed above. These and other implementations are within the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery pack carrier, comprising: a housing, afirst interface having at least one of a first rail and a first groovecoupled to the housing and configured to mate with at least one of acomplementary second groove and a complimentary second rail, a firstelectrical connector coupled to the housing and configured to beelectrically connected to a second electrical connector of a first powertool so that power may be transmitted between the carrier and the firstpower tool at a first voltage; a plurality of battery pack receptaclescoupled to the housing, each battery pack receptacle including a thirdinterface including at least one of a third rail and a third grooveconfigured to mate with at least one of a complementary fourth grooveand a complimentary fourth rail of a fourth interface of a removablepower tool battery pack, each third interface further including a thirdelectrical connector configured to be electrically connected to a fourthelectrical connector on the removable power tool battery pack, so thatpower is transmitted between the battery pack receptacle and the powertool battery pack at a second voltage that is lower than the firstvoltage, wherein, when the power tool battery pack is removed from thebattery pack receptacle, the at least one of the fourth rail and thefourth groove of the fourth interface is configured to mate with atleast one of a complementary fifth groove and a complimentary fifthgroove of a second power tool operable at the second voltage with thefourth electrical connector electrically connected to a fifth electricalconnector on the second power tool so that power is transmitted betweenthe battery pack and the second power tool at the second voltage.
 2. Thebattery pack carrier of claim 1, further comprising a charging circuitreceived in the housing and configured to charge the battery packsreceived in the plurality of battery pack receptacles.
 3. The batterypack carrier of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a sixth electricalconnector configured to receive input of power at a third voltage forcharging the battery packs.
 4. The battery pack carrier of claim 3,wherein the third voltage is different from at least one of the firstvoltage and the second voltage.
 5. The battery pack carrier of claim 2,wherein the first electrical connector is configured to receive input ofpower at the first voltage for charging the battery packs.
 6. Thebattery pack carrier of claim 5, wherein the charging circuit providespower to each battery pack at the second voltage when charging thebattery packs.
 7. The battery pack carrier of claim 1, wherein thecarrier comprises a handle coupled to the housing.
 8. The battery packcarrier of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery pack receptaclesincludes at least four battery pack receptacles.
 9. The battery packcarrier of claim 8, wherein the second voltage is at least four timesthe first voltage.
 10. The battery pack carrier of claim 8, wherein thecarrier connects the battery packs in series so that the second voltageis a whole number multiple of the first voltage.
 11. The battery packcarrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the second groove andthe second rail are provided in carrier receptacle of a kiosk forstoring the carrier.